• From: Norddeutschland
  • Registered: 2008-12-03
  • Posts: 1,458

Topic: Thunder - 20 Over and out

So ran the logo on th T-shirts on sale last night. Thunder's (likely) last gig ever in Hannover, or maybe Germany for that matter. Only a short UK summer tour and apparently thats it.

Nevertheless, they rolled back the years and truly rocked the Muzikzentrum in Hannover last night. The set was peppered with songs from the latetst album and hits from yesteryear. Yeah, sure, many songs I would have love to have heard weren't played, but they have so many, what does it matter?

Danny Bowes did his usual brilliant job of manipulating the crowd and winding us up at the same time. I'm convinced he could get a corpse to clap and singalong! Luke Morley was throwing guitar hero shapes all over the place and generally working his Flying V to death. This is/was a 'real' band in every sense of the word. That they never became a global household name is a tragedy but perhaps also therein also lies their charm. They will always be 'our' band to the fans, although I daresay the guys would have liked the cash that comes with rock superstardom.

Farewell Thunder; great songs, magnificent gigs, and a whole lotta rock 'n roll fun.

PS - anyone who likes driving rock could do worse than check out the supprt act last night - Heaven's Basement, formerly Roadstar, and before that Hurricane Party. They rock.......

No Hits, No Hype.......................Classic Rock Jan 2012
  • Registered: 2008-11-12
  • Posts: 202

Re: Thunder - 20 Over and out

hansamike wrote:

So ran the logo on th T-shirts on sale last night. Thunder's (likely) last gig ever in Hannover, or maybe Germany for that matter. Only a short UK summer tour and apparently thats it.

Nevertheless, they rolled back the years and truly rocked the Muzikzentrum in Hannover last night. The set was peppered with songs from the latetst album and hits from yesteryear. Yeah, sure, many songs I would have love to have heard weren't played, but they have so many, what does it matter?

Danny Bowes did his usual brilliant job of manipulating the crowd and winding us up at the same time. I'm convinced he could get a corpse to clap and singalong! Luke Morley was throwing guitar hero shapes all over the place and generally working his Flying V to death. This is/was a 'real' band in every sense of the word. That they never became a global household name is a tragedy but perhaps also therein also lies their charm. They will always be 'our' band to the fans, although I daresay the guys would have liked the cash that comes with rock superstardom.

Farewell Thunder; great songs, magnificent gigs, and a whole lotta rock 'n roll fun.

PS - anyone who likes driving rock could do worse than check out the supprt act last night - Heaven's Basement, formerly Roadstar, and before that Hurricane Party. They rock.......

Thunder's drummer, Harry James, also plays in a band called Bad Influence - look up Bad Influence Fly on youtube - I saw them at the Jolly Farmers pub in Purley, South London, week before last - they were great!!!

  • From: Waukesha, WI U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2007-09-18
  • Posts: 892

Re: Thunder - 20 Over and out

I sure hope you are right about a comeback Brack. Gonna miss these guys lots!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I was a child I spoke as a child, But all I heard was how I should get ahead,
Now growing up it ain't anything but all This indecision with these debts and doubts
And worries hanging over my head. When I was a child I spoke as a child,
I wish I could remember what I said.

ReverendPaul's Website

  • From: Stoke-on-Trent, England
  • Registered: 2008-02-25
  • Posts: 473

Re: Thunder - 20 Over and out

My girlfriend and I will be seeing them at the Manchester Academy in June (also the venue of my greatest Joe gig.......so far). She's the bigger fan out of the both of us....but I do like a lot of the songs I've heard so far their....and I do hear they put on a really good live show, so I'm very much looking forward to it. Shame it's kind of a goodbye event though, talk about getting on the train a bit late!?!?!  roll

"Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eyes of woman."
                                                                                                   Ludwig Van Beethoven
  • From: Norddeutschland
  • Registered: 2008-12-03
  • Posts: 1,458

Re: Thunder - 20 Over and out

PaulB74 wrote:

My girlfriend and I will be seeing them at the Manchester Academy in June (also the venue of my greatest Joe gig.......so far). She's the bigger fan out of the both of us....but I do like a lot of the songs I've heard so far their....and I do hear they put on a really good live show, so I'm very much looking forward to it. Shame it's kind of a goodbye event though, talk about getting on the train a bit late!?!?!  roll

You won't be disappointed I'm sure. In front of the British audiences its all bound to be a bit emotional and they will going the extra mile to make it an event to remember. As to being late on the train I wouldn't worry. Follow Luke Morleys career in the future. He writes all the material just about, and he is a great guitar player. I'm sure he will doing something interesting, maybe even with Danny Bowes again. I don't think it is the end and there will be some get togethers down the line, but for now, they just have too much going on outside the band so its probably a good thing to quit while they are still making great music before it becomes jaded.

Enjoy the gig.

No Hits, No Hype.......................Classic Rock Jan 2012
  • From: Waukesha, WI U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2007-09-18
  • Posts: 892

Re: Thunder - 20 Over and out

The latest from Classic rock Magazine:

Thunder To Reunite For High Voltage 2011

Thunder are re-forming to make a surprise return to the live stage at this summer’s High Voltage festival, having split up in 2009. Read on for more additions to the 2011 High Voltage bill.

Following the launch of the UK’s new prestige rock festival last year, High Voltage returns in 2011 with exclusive performances from headliners Judas Priest and Dream Theater, UK festival exclusives from Black Country Communion, Jethro Tull and Spock’s Beard, and performances from the Michael Schenker Group, Caravan, The Enid, Pallas and Mostly Autumn.

Further acts announced today are:

THUNDER (Main Stage) – UK festival exclusive

QUEENSRYCHE (Main Stage) – UK festival exclusive

NEAL MORSE (Prog Stage)

SAINT JUDE (Main Stage)

ANATHEMA (Prog Stage)

CURVED AIR (Prog Stage)

High Voltage takes place in London’s Victoria Park, July 23 and 24.

When I was a child I spoke as a child, But all I heard was how I should get ahead,
Now growing up it ain't anything but all This indecision with these debts and doubts
And worries hanging over my head. When I was a child I spoke as a child,
I wish I could remember what I said.

ReverendPaul's Website

  • From: Swindon, UK
  • Registered: 2008-11-13
  • Posts: 78

Re: Thunder - 20 Over and out

Brack wrote:
Brack wrote:

I would put money on them coming back, at some point

This is great news!  smile  I hope it's Sunday!

It is the Sunday and it is definitely a one off reunion for the festival.  They have no plans to take it any further, as all the members are really busy doing other things and Luke, in particular, is fully committed to his new band, The Union, who are touring in the Summer.

martymoffatt's Website

  • Kenny
  • Kenny
  • BONAMETAL
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  • From: Aberdeen, Scotland
  • Registered: 2009-09-04
  • Posts: 3,716

Re: Thunder - 20 Over and out

I'm surprised but delighted Thunder are reforming for this (even though I spent a small fortune travelling from Aberdeen to London to see their last official gig).


Kenny

  • From: Braintree, Essex UK
  • Registered: 2009-12-05
  • Posts: 631

Re: Thunder - 20 Over and out

Not surprised Thunder have reformed for the festival seeings as The Union is rubbish, delighted to see Saint Jude on the bill  smile

Roger
Live 4 The Music  www.fanzeyeview.com

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Roger62's Website

  • From: Norddeutschland
  • Registered: 2008-12-03
  • Posts: 1,458

Re: Thunder - 20 Over and out

It was always thought Thunder would do some one-offs. As one of their songs said 'you can't keep a good man down' and Danny Bowes is too great a talent never to be on the stage again.

Surprised at your choice of words though Roger. From your posts you seem to have a wide and varied taste in music and therefore to read you think The Union are rubbish is a bit of a shock.

2 excellent guitarists, a Thunder-like rhythm section and a voice to die for, The Union have a similar make up even if the delivery is a little different from Thunder.

I was/am a massive fan of Thunder, but I don't want the same old same old, all the time. Perhaps this band are not to everyone's taste clearly but The Union are definately not, by any stretch of the imagination - rubbish.

I probably won't get to HV, unfortunately, but it is great to know Danny is keeping his hand in.

No Hits, No Hype.......................Classic Rock Jan 2012
  • From: Braintree, Essex UK
  • Registered: 2009-12-05
  • Posts: 631

Re: Thunder - 20 Over and out

Not words i use lightly mi amigo, but The union gig I went to in London last year was one of the few I have ever walked out on. Just don't do it for me I'm afraid. Still on the positive side Thunder back in london in the summer now thats what I call music  big_smile

Roger
Live 4 The Music  www.fanzeyeview.com

Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref … =700219411

Roger62's Website

  • From: Swindon, UK
  • Registered: 2008-11-13
  • Posts: 78

Re: Thunder - 20 Over and out

Roger62 wrote:

Not words i use lightly mi amigo, but The union gig I went to in London last year was one of the few I have ever walked out on. Just don't do it for me I'm afraid. Still on the positive side Thunder back in london in the summer now thats what I call music  big_smile

I too was a little surprised at the ‘The Union are rubbish’ comment.  Of course, no band will appeal to everybody and each is entitled to his opinion.  However, The Union’s debut album actually outsold Thunder’s last album ‘Bang’, and they won Classic Rock’s ‘Best New Band’ award in November, so clearly a lot of people disagree with you Roger.

Regarding Thunder, there was never any animosity in their break up in 2009 and everybody in the band are still great friends.  In fact, four of them are scheduled to do a charity motorbike ride together across the US in July.  So it was always a possibility that they might perform one-off gigs here and there.  However, they have no plans to record or to tour, so ‘Bang’ remains their final record and the 2009 tour remains their final tour.

I spent a few days working with Danny Bowes in Poland last month, and he told me that all of them are really busy with other projects, on stage and off stage, and any kind of permanent reunion is out of the question.

martymoffatt's Website

  • From: Braintree, Essex UK
  • Registered: 2009-12-05
  • Posts: 631

Re: Thunder - 20 Over and out

I consider 'Bang' to be the worst Thunder cd ever so I am not surpried it has been usurped. Like I said about The Union i know a lot of people like them , but they do absolutely nothing for me whatsoever.

Roger
Live 4 The Music  www.fanzeyeview.com

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Roger62's Website

  • From: Waukesha, WI U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2007-09-18
  • Posts: 892

Re: Thunder - 20 Over and out

martymoffatt wrote:
Roger62 wrote:

Not words i use lightly mi amigo, but The union gig I went to in London last year was one of the few I have ever walked out on. Just don't do it for me I'm afraid. Still on the positive side Thunder back in london in the summer now thats what I call music  big_smile

I too was a little surprised at the ‘The Union are rubbish’ comment.  Of course, no band will appeal to everybody and each is entitled to his opinion.  However, The Union’s debut album actually outsold Thunder’s last album ‘Bang’, and they won Classic Rock’s ‘Best New Band’ award in November, so clearly a lot of people disagree with you Roger.

Regarding Thunder, there was never any animosity in their break up in 2009 and everybody in the band are still great friends.  In fact, four of them are scheduled to do a charity motorbike ride together across the US in July.  So it was always a possibility that they might perform one-off gigs here and there.  However, they have no plans to record or to tour, so ‘Bang’ remains their final record and the 2009 tour remains their final tour.

I spent a few days working with Danny Bowes in Poland last month, and he told me that all of them are really busy with other projects, on stage and off stage, and any kind of permanent reunion is out of the question.

I'd be interested in a little more info on this charity motorbike ride in the US they are participating in, if you could supply a few details. Would be appreciated.

When I was a child I spoke as a child, But all I heard was how I should get ahead,
Now growing up it ain't anything but all This indecision with these debts and doubts
And worries hanging over my head. When I was a child I spoke as a child,
I wish I could remember what I said.

ReverendPaul's Website

  • From: Swindon, UK
  • Registered: 2008-11-13
  • Posts: 78

Re: Thunder - 20 Over and out

Here's where the info came from.....

http://www.daveling.co.uk/diary.htm

Dave Ling is a music journalist in the UK and a regular contributor to Classic Rock.  He also keeps an online diary.  This is what he had to say....

Tuesday 8th February
Beware: this diary entry will self-destruct in ten seconds. Yesterday’s interviews were conducted in top secret fashion, wearing a disguise and using a device to distort my voice. No, I’m kidding. But I did grille two reclusive characters. In the morning I took my life in my own hands by calling Andy McNab, the former SAS soldier-turned-bestselling author whose book Bravo Two Zero was something of an avid page-turner here at Ling Towers (Mrs L and I both read and enjoyed it). McNab is about to go out on a charity motorcycle ride across North America called England Rocks – Hands Across The Water, an experience he will share with former Thunder members Danny Bowes, Luke Morley, Chris Childs and Ben Matthews. With proceeds going to Childline Rocks, Morley and Childs are to perform with their current band The Union as part of a special concert at the Sun Valley Pavilion when the 700-mile trek ends in Ketchum, Idaho, on July 11. McNab, who due to security issues conceals his identity everywhere he goes, sounded casual about the whole thing. “The idea came up at a Christmas party while I was talking **## at eleven o’clock at night, and it snowballed from there.” He spoke with the firm conviction of a man you wouldn’t mess with, and Bowes later told me that his presence on the ride fills him with confidence. “We should be OK in the bars,” he laughs. “I’m just wondering whether he’ll have a pixelated crash helmet to cover his face.”

Luke has since confirmed that discussions are taking place, although nothing is set in stone yet.

martymoffatt's Website

  • From: Waukesha, WI U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2007-09-18
  • Posts: 892

Re: Thunder - 20 Over and out

Got tickets for  the Thunder and Union show in Idaho July 16th at the end of their charity ride. 5th row and meet and greets. Can't hardley wait. May be the show of the year for me.

When I was a child I spoke as a child, But all I heard was how I should get ahead,
Now growing up it ain't anything but all This indecision with these debts and doubts
And worries hanging over my head. When I was a child I spoke as a child,
I wish I could remember what I said.

ReverendPaul's Website